Our God truly is a personal, intimately close God who knows everything about us, knows everything we know about Him, and loves with a love that is eternal, faithful and forever!  He isn’t concerned with how far we have come in our relationship with Him; what He does care about is each one’s commitment to keep believing and following Him whether we have been walking with Him for years or have just begun.  God is patient and kind. God is compassionate.  God is not watching to see if we fail so he can punish us; God is compassionately hovering over us with power to help us get back up again with His outstretched arm to pull us closer to Him!

God love is the same for each one of us. God shows no favorites.  We do not earn His love—God just loves.  We cannot buy His love—God is not for sale.  By His grace and mercy; God loves.  “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” John 3:16-17 Read for wisdom and understanding so we can engage in the fullness of God’s love for us!

In those times, when we come close to becoming haughty or proud of how we  walk with Him while looking down on others who are toddling in their walk; pause to look inward, for our attitudes need adjusting and hearts softened.  Real wisdom, as this psalm proclaims at the end, is knowing who God is and what He does.  If a fearful awe of our God does not consume us as we stand before Him in prayer this morning then ask God what He wants from us. He will answer for our God is real, active, alive, always at work within us, and desires our love more than our performance of His love.  Yes, there is a difference.

Psalm 111, The Message

^1-10 Hallelujah!
I give thanks to God with everything I’ve got—
Wherever good people gather, and in the congregation.

God’s works are so great, worth
A lifetime of study—endless enjoyment!
Splendor and beauty mark his craft;

His generosity never gives out.
His miracles are his memorial—
This God of Grace, this God of Love.

He gave food to those who fear him,
He remembered to keep his ancient promise.

He proved to his people that he could do what he said:
Hand them the nations on a platter—a gift!

He manufactures truth and justice;
All his products are guaranteed to last—
Never out-of-date, never obsolete, rust-proof.
All that he makes and does is honest and true:

He paid the ransom for his people,
He ordered his Covenant kept forever.

He’s so personal and holy, worthy of our respect.
The good life begins in the fear of God—
Do that and you’ll know the blessing of God.
His Hallelujah lasts forever!

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

Lord,

Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.  Lead us not into temptations to be proud but instead lead us to have hearts of trust and obedience to Your will as we walk humbly with you. Cleanse our hearts, remove all that does not belong. Renew our minds, transform what we think and how we respond to you and others, refresh our souls and fill them with Your Word of Truth. Restore the joy of your salvation continually at work within us.  Thank you for doing it again, and again, and again until we see you face to face in all your glory!

In Jesus Name, Amen